In this archive story we are meeting a Mumbai street child at the PJ Ramchandani Marg in Mumbai, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer.

Street children in the classical sense are found in India almost without exception in the cities with a population of approximately 50,000 inhabitants. The photographer had to get use to begging street children everywhere in Mumbai. At the PJ Ramchandani Marg in Mumbai just near the prestigious The Taj Mahal Palace this Mumbai street child was photographed.


		By Kristian Bertel, Photographer – Updated on March 21, 2024

Mumbai street child

During his photographic journeys in India, the photographer encountered numerous encounters with street children. Especially in the big cities it was a common sight. In its 11th 5-year plan, the Indian government also distinguishes itself from homeless children and street children. It is important, however, to point out that both children on the street and street children live in a very unfair situation and the transition from life as a child on the street to a street child is fluid.

Why would a child end up as a street child?

The answer is complex and as many street children as there are in the world there are as many reasons for them being there. These can include parental deaths, parental neglect and other social factors such as violence and abuse of children at home or within communities.

Struggling to survive in the streets
Street children are a growing problem in many cities around the world and they are young children, often between the ages of 5 and 18, living on the streets and struggling to survive and these street children are often homeless due to poverty, abuse, neglect or family breakdown. They are often forced to beg or scavenge for food and money in order to survive and the life of a street child is a difficult one because many are exposed to violence, drugs and alcohol, exploitation and sexual abuse. They are vulnerable to physical and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress disorder and they often lack access to basic services like education and healthcare, leaving them even more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

"Street children often face discrimination and stigma, as well as a lack of access to basic rights, such as the right to education, healthcare and protection from exploitation and abuse. In many countries, they are viewed as a nuisance or even criminalized, making them even more vulnerable to mistreatment and exploitation"

Some of the most vulnerable members of society
There are a number of ways to address the problem of street children. Governments need to focus on developing effective social protection policies, such as cash transfers and access to education, healthcare and other basic services and it is also important to tackle the root causes of street children, such as poverty, abuse, neglect and family breakdown. This requires a holistic approach, with a focus on creating economic opportunities, improving education and protecting children from abuse and exploitation, because street children are some of the most vulnerable members of society and their rights should be ensured and respected so they have access to the services and support they need to live a life of dignity and security.

Number of street children has grown
In India, the number of street children has grown significantly in recent years. It is estimated that there are over 11 million street children in India, making it one of the countries with the highest numbers of street children in the world. Street children in India face numerous social, economic and health problems. These children are often subject to extreme poverty, exploitation, verbal and physical abuse and a lack of access to basic education and health care. They are also vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.

The main cause of street children in India is Poverty and this is due to the fact that many poor families are unable to provide for their children, forcing them to leave home in search of work or food. In some cases, children are abandoned by their parents due to financial distress. Other factors contributing to the growth of street children in India include domestic violence, natural disasters and displacement due to conflict.

How these children are helped
The Indian government has taken several steps to address the issue of street children and there are various government schemes in place to provide food, shelter, education and healthcare to these children. The government has also set up various drop-in centres and shelters to provide these children with a safe environment. In addition, civil society organisations such as Save the Children, a NGO that have been working to give street children with access to education and health care and they have also been working to raise awareness about the issue of street children and to help them to find safe and secure employment. Because the issue of street children in India is a complex one and requires a multi-pronged approach to address. The government, civil society organisations and individuals must work together to ensure that these children are provided with the necessary support and protection they need. Only then can we hope to see a reduction in the number of street children in India.

"Street children are some of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. They are often exposed to extreme poverty, abuse and exploitation. Unfortunately, this population is often overlooked by governments and other organizations and their needs are not adequately addressed"

Where do the street children live?
Street children are children who live and work on the streets as a result of poverty, abuse, neglect or abandonment. They may live in public spaces, such as parks, abandoned buildings or even on the street itself. Many street children come from broken homes or have experienced violence and abuse in their past. They have often been abandoned by their families and are unable to secure basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. They often face a range of social and economic issues. They are often exposed to exploitation, violence and abuse. They lack access to basic services, such as education and healthcare and they are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by adults. Additionally, street children are at risk of being trafficked and exploited by organized crime groups.

Given the extreme poverty that street children experience, it is important to provide them with basic needs, including food, shelter and clothing. It is also important to ensure that they have access to education and healthcare. Additionally, governments and other organizations must provide street children with the necessary resources to help them transition off the streets and this could include job training, access to safe housing and mental health support.

Ultimately, it is essential that governments and other organizations recognize the plight of street children and work to ensure that their needs are met. Street children are some of the most vulnerable members of society and they deserve access to the same resources and support as any other child and it is only by working together that we can ensure that street children are given a chance to thrive.

Street children in the big cities of India
In India, all efforts by governments and aid organizations are taking place under the prevailing poverty and the millions of people from the country who are pushing for jobs in the cities. 2 million children under the age of 5 die every year, more than 20 million do not attend elementary school, children's events are the order of the day. In India, some street cihldren who are only 3 years old and with siblings in the tow are begging on the street, just as the photographer saw in the street of PJ Ramchandani Marg in the southern part of Mumbai. Just near to the famous and prestigious The Taj Mahal Palace. Other Street children are constantly moving around, living on the construction sites where their parents work and never seeing a school from within. Many outliers land on the street and fight with Begging, stealing or prostitution.

Amount of poor in India
From the village to the slum. More than 800 million people are also considered poor in India. Most of them live in the countryside and are overpopulated with casual jobs and the lack of livelihoods in rural areas drives many Indians to the rapidly growing metropolitan regions like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore or Calcutta. There, most of them expect a life characterized by poverty and despair in the mega slums, consisting of millions of corrugated huts, without adequate drinking water supply, without garbage disposal and in many cases also without electricity.

"The poor hygiene conditions are the cause of diseases such as 'Cholera', 'Typhus' and 'Dysentery', in which street children are mainly suffering and dying"

Number of street children in India
The Indian government is only very cautious about the situation of street children. There is an official estimate from 20 years ago, after which there will be 11 million street children. 420,000 are believed to live in the 6 largest cities in the country. Most of these children are said to be between 8 and 12 years old. On the government side, no attempt has been made since 1997 to update and differentiate these figures. According to estimates by Unicef, Human Rights Watch and other organizations, the number of Indian street children aged between 6 and 15 is around 18 to 20 million. In addition, there are estimates of 40 million street children. However, these should be too high.

Malnutrition, not even a bowl of rice a day
The world's most malnourished children live in India and India is also one of the sad top places in malnutrition and more than 200 million people are under-served, including 61 million children. At 7.8 million infants, the birth weight was found to be too low, below 2,500 grams which are alarming figures for a country that is commonly referred to as an emerging country. 1.4 million children die in India every year before their 5th birthday. In addition to other countries with this statistic, India is one of the countries with the highest child mortality rate and the diseases such as 'Pneumonia', 'Malaria' and 'Diarrhea' as well as chronic malnutrition and malnutrition are the most common causes of death.

Photographing street children in India is an experience unlike any other
It is one of both beauty and sorrow as the lives of these children unfold before the lens of the camera. On one hand, these children often lead lives that are full of energy, laughter and optimism, with nothing but wide open streets to explore and a bright future they hope will come. On the other hand, these children are very much living in poverty and the reality of their everyday life is difficult and heartbreaking and the experience of photographing these street children is deeply humbling. Seeing their pride and determination amidst the hardships they face can inspire the viewer to appreciate every good moment in life.

For the photographer, being in the presence of these children is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the power of a single moment to connect us with one another and the beauty of the situation lies in the genuine moment of connection that can be captured between the photographer and the children.

"Despite the obstacles these children face, they remain open to the idea of having a moment of lasting memories preserved through the art of photography. This allows the photographer to capture a more natural, organic portrait of the children – one that is not drastically altered by financial or social constraints. The experience of photographing street children in India can be an eye-opening experience to both the photographer and the viewer. It is a reminder of the struggles these children face every day and an opportunity to celebrate their resilience and courage. Through photography, viewers can see the beauty behind the hardships of life and appreciate the power of a single moment to bring us together"

See this video about a Mumbai street child made by Mumbai Mirror.

The photographer's own experience of seeing the street children in Mumbai
"- I had to get used to begging street children everywhere in Mumbai. At red traffic lights they scratch the windows of the cars. They pull at the shirts of the passersby. At first I often asked myself whether I should give them a little money. ₹30 rupees, which are like 50 cents, would be a lot of money for street children just like the Mumbai street child. But can I ease the hardship of a single street child? I also doubt that. To give food instead of money seems to me better. But both are not a selfless act. With a donation, I do something good for myself. I feel better at this moment. The belief that something has been done against poverty makes it easier", the Photographer says.

"- The question of conscience, why the child has to live on the street, falls into the background. I hardly helped the girl. In most cases, I unfornately did not manage to stick to my principle and did not ignore the begging children. Once a street child came up to me. From her face spoke the pure despair, she gurgled for a bite of food. I ignored her, but she did not leave. At that moment, my rational views staggered. Despite acute doubts, I did not give anything. But the seconds in which the girl begged me to let go and remain, became eternity. She burned in my memory. A mixture of doubts and helplessness has remained to this day", the Photographer says again.

Read also: Street child in Delhi


			Read also: Street child in Delhi

Mumbai street child

Read also: Street child in Delhi

More archive stories